Nigeria calls for China’s collaboration to fight fake news

Nigeria has called for collaboration with China in the fight against misinformation and disinformation.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this at an event “Special release ceremony of the global solicitation results” with the theme: “Written in the Sky; My China Story,” organised by China Media Group (CMG) on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Minister, represented by the ministry’s Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Suleiman Haruna, said the initiative represented a significant effort to strengthen the bonds between Nigeria and China through cultural and linguistic exchange while leveraging the modern communication channels available in both nations.

While speaking about the role of media outlets in guiding society, the minister said: “In today’s world, advances in technology have made it possible to deliver credible and timely news to millions of people, even across vast distances.

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“While these advancements present us with tremendous opportunities, they also bring challenges especially the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation.

“We must work together to tackle this issue and, ideally, eliminate it. In this spirit of cooperation, Nigeria and China have already made significant strides.”

Rep Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, lauded China’s investments in Nigeria and Africa.

According to him, such investments have played a crucial role in driving Nigeria’s economic growth, generating employment opportunities, and enhancing infrastructure.

Yakubu also lauded China’s commitment to cultural exchange and people-to-people diplomacy, emphasising the significance of storytelling in connecting diverse cultures and fostering understanding.

In his remarks, Amb. Yu Dunhai, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, said that he was elated celebrating the African narratives collected through the “Written in the Sky: My China Story” event.

He underscored the importance of leveraging the friendship between China and Nigeria for the betterment of both countries and humanity at large.

“I am happy to see many witnesses, participants and inheritors of the China-Africa friendship sending back videos, letters, etc. to CMG AFRICA to share the touching moments of their friendly exchanges with China, which prove the power of media in shaping narratives.

“Let us continue to work together to leverage our strengths and resources for the benefit of both of our countries and peoples, contributing to the vision of a community of shared future for mankind,” he said.

Yu also extended his wishes for enduring friendship, familial bonds, and a shared destiny between the Chinese and Nigerian people on the occasion of the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.